Chamber of Commerce Announces Line Up for Summer Music Festival, July 1-3
By Jeanine Zimmer
The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the line up for our Summer Music Festival (Note name change from Summer Festival of the Arts) July 1-3, 2011! Headlining the event Sunday, July 3 will be the ever-popular Funk and R&B group: KC and the Sunshine Band.
Harry Wayne Casey (KC) and his group formed in 1973 and it didn’t take long for them to make it to stardom. By 1975 KC and the Sunshine Band had released mega hits “Get Down Tonight” and “That’s the Way (I Like It)” resulting in a self-titled album that scored triple-platinum status, soon to be followed by “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty,” “Keep It Comin’ Love” and “Please Don’t Go,” songs so recognizable people jump into phrase as soon as their titles are mentioned.
So what was the secret to this catchy rhythm? “Marketability,” KC states in an interview with The Villager. “I worked in a record store and heard the frustration in peoples voices when they struggled to remember a title of a song they were looking for.” KC then came up with his musical formula to success: make the song catchy, make the song happy and “repeat the title in the song a lot.” Well, it worked; between 1975 and 1984, KC and the Sunshine Band recorded 10 songs ranked in the Top 40 of the Billboard Pop Charts.
KC has enjoyed a lot of commercial success because of his ability to make his songs marketable. Before recording his own music, he wrote lyrics and produced for many other stars. He worked with TK records for five years before utilizing some of their in-house musicians for his own band he started with co-worker Rick Finch. Though the group didn’t tour much, most of their time was spent writing and recording and earned them many accolades through radio play and albums.
When you check out the show at the Summer Festival, you will be entertained by a 20-piece group, complete with horns, percussion and back-up dancers. “We have limited time at these shows,” states KC, “so we have to pack in all of the hits. The shows are about positive music and being positive. I’m up there doing what I love to do. I’m up there doing what I always knew I was supposed to do.”
Returning this year is the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, July 2. The concert will feature popular patriotic selections and the family friendly program will include music from Disney and other children’s favorites. Children are encouraged to dress up as their favorite prince or princess. The evening concludes with an extraordinary fireworks display as the BPO performs Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and marches by John Phillip Sousa, including Stars and Stripes Forever. The weekend will include numerous other musical performances indoors and outdoors, beginning with a Sponsors Reception Friday evening and will boast an Arts and Crafts Show, Pet Parade and Strawberry Festival. For more information at the Ellicottville Chamber 800-349-9099 www.ellicottvilleny.com.